Photograph by @paulnicklen. They don’t come much cuter than these newborn harp seal pups. To see what a baby harp seal looks like when it has had to…

Photograph by @paulnicklen. They don’t come much cuter than these newborn harp seal pups. To see what a baby harp seal looks like when it has had too much milk and can’t keep its tongue in its mouth, #followme on @paulnicklen During bad ice years, there is very little recruitment into the population. Sea ice is a crucial part in the life cycle of a harp seal, not to mention most species in the polar regions. // #cute #nature #wildlife #naturelovers #tbt #instagood #seal #arctic #climatechangeisreal

Photograph by @paulnicklen // A newborn harp seal pup rests on the sea ice with a belly full of milk that has some of the highest fat content of any s…

Photograph by @paulnicklen // A newborn harp seal pup rests on the sea ice with a belly full of milk that has some of the highest fat content of any species. This pup is so full of milk that it can’t seem to tuck its tongue back in its mouth. Even though it is -20c, this pup is fat, warm and satiated. Harp seals, like many seal species depend on sea ice for their survival. As global climate change reduces the extent, duration, and thickness of sea ice, these seal species are threatened with extinction. Reducing our carbon footprint on this Earth is the only hope for the survival of all pagophilic (ice loving) species. Go to sealegacy.org to learn more about the steps that we can all take to be more aware and take action. #followme on paulnicklen to see more pictures of these adorable and vulnerable seals. To see incomparable images of harp seals, #follow two my personal heroes, @daviddoubilet and @brianskerry // #seal #climatechangeisreal #nature #instagood #tbt #family #love #beauty #cute #natureloves #photooftheday @thephotosociety

Photo by @FransLanting // On assignment for @natgeo in the grasslands of Tanzania's Serengeti, I made this image of mother cheetah resting in the midd…

Photo by @FransLanting // On assignment for @natgeo in the grasslands of Tanzania's Serengeti, I made this image of mother cheetah resting in the midday shade with one of her cubs. Long-term studies in the Serengeti have shown that a few cheetah females are so good at raising cubs that we can call them “supermoms.” This female is one such supermom, and so was her mother. “The daughters of good mothers make good mothers,” researchers there told me—an idea I love. Join me today as we celebrate #IntlCheetahDay! #SaveTheCheetah
@natgeo @natgeotravel @natgeocreative @thephotosociety #Cheetah #BigCats #Tanzania #Serengeti #Supermom #Cub

Video by @gabrielegalimbertiphoto | @woods_galimberti | A sloth crossing the main road between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. Sloths are name…

Video by @gabrielegalimbertiphoto | @woods_galimberti | A sloth crossing the main road between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica. Sloths are named after the capital sin of sloth because they seem slow and lazy at first glance; however, their usual idleness is due to metabolic adaptations for conserving energy. #sloth #costarica #slow #osoperesoso #cahuita #crossingroad

Photo by @BrianSkerry.
A Harp Seal Pup, about 17 days old, begins to shed its white coat in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence. At this stage, the p…

Photo by @BrianSkerry.
A Harp Seal Pup, about 17 days old, begins to shed its white coat in Canada’s Gulf of St. Lawrence. At this stage, the pups begin learn to swim for the first time and are known as ‘beaters’ because the beat the frigid water with their fins. Thinning ice due to climate change over the last decade has caused problems for this species, with pup mortality rates increasing during years with little ice. Survival long term will require adapting to the loss of sea ice if these trends continue. Photographed on assignment for @NatGeo Magazine.
@thephotosociety
#harp #seal #pup #saint #lawrence #stlawrence #canada #sea #ice #climate #change #thin #global #warming #conservation #preservation #cute #animals #seal #north #pole #arctic #photooftheday

Photograph by @stefanounterthiner. At dusk, a red deer is coming out from the forest: I had just the time for a few images, before it disappeared. A m…

Photograph by @stefanounterthiner. At dusk, a red deer is coming out from the forest: I had just the time for a few images, before it disappeared. A magic moment in the Abruzzo National Park, Italy. @natgeo #night #forest #great #moments

Photograph by @thomaspeschak A whale shark travels through the seas off La Paz, Mexico. Whale shark numbers normally peak in this part of the Sea of …

Photograph by @thomaspeschak A whale shark travels through the seas off La Paz, Mexico. Whale shark numbers normally peak in this part of the Sea of Cortez when the ocean is green, murky and rough. In 2015 however unusual climatic and oceanographic conditions resulted in ultra calm and clear water, making this unusual picture possible. Shot on assignment for @natgeo magazine. Outtake from our forthcoming NGM story on marine conservation in Pacific Mexico. In collaboration with the Mexican conservation NGOs @maresmexicanos and @whalesharkmexico

y @drewtrush // Alces alces shirasi—the shiras moose, smallest subspecies of the moose family. Smaller antlers and body size make this species of moose unique. Biologist E.W., Nelson named the subspecies for his friend, politician and photographer George Shiras III in 1914, but did you know that Mr. Shiras also happened to be a National Geographic photographer?! Considered by many to be the father of wildlife photography, Shiras was a true pioneer in the field using lights and camera traps to make his images. His large format, glass plate negatives can still be found in the National Geographic archives to this day. •
You can learn more about George Shiras III at the link in my bio @drewtrush

Photo @pedromcbride // A changing landscape. With 2016 proving to be the warmest year on record, Alaska feels it. According to data throughout the las…

Photo @pedromcbride // A changing landscape. With 2016 proving to be the warmest year on record, Alaska feels it. According to data throughout the last frontier, Alaska is warming almost twice as fast as the rest of the United States. Its vanishing glaciers are telling the same story. #climatechange #lastfrontier

Photograph by @vanhoutenphoto | After several days of travel across one of the roughest stretches of water on the planet, we came to a place that whal…

Photograph by @vanhoutenphoto | After several days of travel across one of the roughest stretches of water on the planet, we came to a place that whale researcher Ari Friedlaender called his favorite place on earth: Wilhelmina Bay on the Western Antarctic Peninsula. In 2009, Ari witnessed the largest gathering of humpback whales ever documented in this very spot. Over 300 whales congregated here to feed at that time. After days of travel and no whales, we were all getting a bit restless. However, Ari had high hopes for this visit to Wilhelmina Bay. An hour or so into our search for signs of whales, we spotted this one logging towards the back of the bay. As we inched closer to get a better look, the whale rose up out of the water, took a look at us, and then slipped deep into the frigid ocean. This was the first whale I had ever seen up close-a moment I will never forget.
•
See a new episode of #Continent7 Antartica tonight at 10/9c on @NatGeoChannel.

iPhone photo by @stephenwilkes: A cityscape so enthralling in its monochromatic simplicity, it's as if the city has grown with the eventual creation o…

iPhone photo by @stephenwilkes: A cityscape so enthralling in its monochromatic simplicity, it's as if the city has grown with the eventual creation of this precise view in mind. Mirroring the diversity of its residents, each structure finds the balance between existing uniquely and in solidarity of those sharing its vista, creating a symphony of light.
#NYC #Manhattan #newyorkskyline #lowermanhattan #StephenWilkes

Photograph by @thomaspeschak A large female great white shark swims at the surface with Mexico's Guadalupe Island as a backdrop. The scarring around h…

Photograph by @thomaspeschak A large female great white shark swims at the surface with Mexico's Guadalupe Island as a backdrop. The scarring around her gills was probably the result of mating, during which the male shark holds onto the female with his teeth......Photographic out-take from a forthcoming @natgeo magazine story on successful marine conservation initiatives in Mexico. @thephotosociety @natgeocreative @maresmexicanos For another unseen photo from this upcoming story please check out and follow @thomaspeschak

Photograph by @thomaspeschak SHARK NIGHT These young Galapagos sharks were already super abundant during the day, but I had a hunch they would be even…

Photograph by @thomaspeschak SHARK NIGHT These young Galapagos sharks were already super abundant during the day, but I had a hunch they would be even more prolific after dark. Sliding into the inky depths of Bassas da India's lagoon in the middle of the night was a surreal experience. A cinematic movie light, hung off a long aluminum pole (formerly the handle of a swimming pool strainer) and now imaginatively rigged to a sputtering generator on our small rubber boat, provided the only illumination. For hours I photographed countless of these sharks waltz in and out of the light. To fit the Instagram format this picture shows two individual vertical frames, shot minutes apart, side by side. Coverage from my @natgeo magazine story A Tale of Two Atoll's. #taaf #mozambiquechannel @saveourseasfoundation #sharks @thephotosociety @natgeocreative

54° 17′ 0″ S | 36° 18′ 0″ W
Photo by @salvarezphoto (Stephen Alvarez)
Reindeer Antlers Godthul Harbor South Georgia
Reindeer were introduced to South Georgia in 1911 to help feed the whalers who once lived on the island. The whaling industry is long gone from South Georgia and the government has gone to great lengths to eliminate all the invasive species that have occupied the island. The 7000 or more reindeer are the most noticeable change and their skulls litter the landscape around Godthul. But much greater effort and expense have gone into eliminating the rats that invaded the island with coming of the first sailors. Rats play havoc with ground nesting birds and since rat populations are being brought under control the birds are recovering.
#invasive

Video by @thomaspeschak When plankton concentrations are patchy, manta rays are solo feeders. To guard against loosing their food patch they somersaul…

Video by @thomaspeschak When plankton concentrations are patchy, manta rays are solo feeders. To guard against loosing their food patch they somersault in place, often for many minutes at a time, not unlike a puppy chasing its own tail. @mantatrust For more photos and videos from the world's oceans follow @natgeo photographer @thomaspeschak

Image by @beverlyjoubert. A young male lion plays along the banks of a river in the Selinda Reserve, chasing the rest of his pride. He's at that age w…

Image by @beverlyjoubert. A young male lion plays along the banks of a river in the Selinda Reserve, chasing the rest of his pride. He's at that age where he will soon be kicked out of this pride to go it alone as a nomad. Life is particularly difficult for young males and he will have many challenges ahead of him. But his mother managed to raise all 6 of her cubs to this age, so perhaps with these strong genes, he will do well on his own and one day lead a pride of his own. For now, he will continue to play. #bigcats #lions #botswana #thisismytrophy

Photo @ladzinski / @lukasirmler above the clouds, high-lining over #riodejaneiro at sunset. These foggy clouds collided with us minutes after this was…

Photo @ladzinski / @lukasirmler above the clouds, high-lining over #riodejaneiro at sunset. These foggy clouds collided with us minutes after this was taken, soaking everything and making for a very slippery and sketchy descent off the mountain by headlamp. All worth it, moments like this are unexpected and I'll take that over blue skies any day!

Photo @ladzinski / It's been a slow start to winter on the front range of #Colorado but it's beginning to slowly creep in. Watching this small herd of…

Photo @ladzinski / It's been a slow start to winter on the front range of #Colorado but it's beginning to slowly creep in. Watching this small herd of horse outside of Estes Park walking through the flurries late last week got me excited for more of this in the weeks ahead!

Photograph by @thomaspeschak Bassas da India, a remote atoll sandwiched equidistant between Mozambique and Madagascar is one of the sharkiest places i…

Photograph by @thomaspeschak Bassas da India, a remote atoll sandwiched equidistant between Mozambique and Madagascar is one of the sharkiest places in the Indian Ocean. A French overseas territory, it is protected by regular air patrols and a small military base on nearby Europa atoll. Unpublished photograph from my @natgeo magazine story A tale of two Atoll's. @thephotosociety For a underwater view of this scene follow NG photographer @thomaspeschak and check his feed later today.

Photo by @jimmy_chin
The Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia boasts the highest density of active volcanoes anywhere in the world. Thi…

Photo by @jimmy_chin
The Kamchatka Peninsula in the far east of Russia boasts the highest density of active volcanoes anywhere in the world. This ash laden art piece is just one of many active volcanoes in the surreal and desolate landscape at 57 degrees North. Shot while filming with @travisrice and co. #thelandtimeforgot

Photo by @renan_ozturk // A days relief for this woman who sat on the edge of her stepped fields and smoked tobacco rolled in fresh corn husk. ~…

Photo by @renan_ozturk // A days relief for this woman who sat on the edge of her stepped fields and smoked tobacco rolled in fresh corn husk. ~
Knowledge on this culture from @dzifoundation @jetbutterflies //
The Kulunge are amongst the last purely animistic cultures in the Himalaya. They have a deep connection with the spirit world and the natural world, facilitated by powerful Shamans. But everything in the mountains changes - even the geology, and many of the local traditions and cultures are under threat. ~
#TheLastHoneyHunter @Natgeo @taylorfreesolo @sadiequarrier @ben_knight @m_synnott @climber.abiral @camp4collective #feltsoulmedia

Photograph by @thomaspeschak Microlight over the Indian Ocean. From the air the Maldives resemble a necklace with each atoll a single pearl embedded i…

Photograph by @thomaspeschak Microlight over the Indian Ocean. From the air the Maldives resemble a necklace with each atoll a single pearl embedded in this 510 miles long archipelago of 1192 islands. Hot and humid at sea level, the air was icy cold at altitude and my wardrobe of shorts, sandals and t-shirt was inappropriate for shooting aerials on this occasion. @saveourseasfoundation @thephotosociety @natgeocreative

Photo @pedromcbride // Straight, exacting lines press up against soft and forever changing river banks. From the air, the merging of overflowing river…

Photo @pedromcbride // Straight, exacting lines press up against soft and forever changing river banks. From the air, the merging of overflowing rivers and solid, man-made structures look more like modern art than an altered landscape. #climatechange #chasingrivers #gratitude #iceland

Image by @beverlyjoubert. After an extremely hot day in Botswana the air finally cools slightly as the sun drops down to the horizon, glowing red thro…

Image by @beverlyjoubert. After an extremely hot day in Botswana the air finally cools slightly as the sun drops down to the horizon, glowing red through the dust. A lioness makes the most of the cooler air to emerge from her deep sleep in the shade and begins to look for a possible hunt. We sometimes forget how hard it is for these lions. Not only do they constantly need to defend their territories but the extreme heat makes hunting that much harder. With summer temperatures increasing here year by year, this is a challenge these big cats will have to overcome. #bigcats #Botswana #lions #thisismytrophy

Photo by @shonephoto (Robbie Shone) - Tonight, the evening of 5th December, is known in many alpine countries as Krampusnacht (krampus night). Krampus…

Photo by @shonephoto (Robbie Shone) - Tonight, the evening of 5th December, is known in many alpine countries as Krampusnacht (krampus night). Krampus is the assistant of St. Nicholas. He is a hairy, horned, cloven-hooved figure, with bells, chains, birch rods, and sometimes a basket. During the Christmas season, St. Nicholas rewards children who have behaved well, whilst the Krampus punishes children who have behaved badly.

Photo by @shonephoto (Robbie Shone) - Hoping to see eruptions of hot ash, incandescent lava fragments and stone blocks launched several hundred feet into the air from the summit craters, a group of tourists plod up the steep slope of Stromboli volcano late in the afternoon.
It's in the book! - @natgeobook

Photograph by @stefanounterthiner. A male Lesser Kestrel stands on an ancient statue, where it found a suitable spot for its nest. This small falcon i…

Photograph by @stefanounterthiner. A male Lesser Kestrel stands on an ancient statue, where it found a suitable spot for its nest. This small falcon is colonial species, often nesting adjacent to human settlements. The town of Matera, Italy, provides a summer home for the world's largest colony of Kestrel. #bird #Matera #Italy @natgeo

Video by @joelsartore | One of the rarest mammals in the world, a critically-endangered Sumatran rhinoceros named Suci, poses at the Cincinnati Zoo (@…

Video by @joelsartore | One of the rarest mammals in the world, a critically-endangered Sumatran rhinoceros named Suci, poses at the Cincinnati Zoo (@cincinnatizoo). Poaching for their horns combined with habitat loss has reduced this species by 50% in the last twenty years. They live only in Indonesia now, in places where anti-poaching patrols provide vital protection.
#Follow me @joelsartore to see what Suci looked like as a little baby!